Continued: Sex offender's case appears headed for public hearing

Speaking after the hearing Friday, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney George Widseth expressed concern that Duvall’s release had already become overly politicized and might get in the way of sound judgment.

“Yes, Duvall has a horrendous history, but so does everyone else in the [state sex offender] program,” Widseth said. “The question is not, ‘Did he commit horrible crimes?’ The question is, ‘How well has he been doing in treatment and is he ready to come out?’ ”